The Murder of Nick Berg

Trying to make sense of the savagery.

Are there any words to describe the diabolical evil of Islamic terrorists beheading Nick Berg?

Can one possibly fathom the savage barbarism of slaughtering a human being at the neck like an animal?

Can one comprehend humans acting like monstrous beasts, holding the severed head aloft as if it were a trophy?

Or the way they proudly posted the videotape online for the entire world to see?

And even more, all the while claiming to act in the name of God.

Here is the first lesson of the murder of Nick Berg: Left to their own devices, people can come to justify anything. As the late Rabbi Yaakov Weinberg said:

"Relative ethics are meaningless. They create an opportunity in which one does what he feels like doing, and then creates the justification for it... Hitler demonstrated that there is no action which a human being cannot justify, to himself and even to others."

For those accustomed to a philosophy of "who is one person to say what's right for another?" the Islamic terrorists have a good argument. "We believe that God wants us to behead Americans on videotape. If you believe otherwise, it's one person's word against another."

But Judaism subscribes to the principle of absolute truth. And the Torah, for the person committed to thoughtful study, teaches the guidelines of true good and evil.

The second lesson is that even when we must kill evil criminals or terrorists in order to bring greater good and peace to the world, we never do it with the total disregard for human dignity and life shown by the murderers of Nick Berg.

In confronting evil, Jewish thought distinguishes between hating the perpetrators, and hating the evils committed. Do we hate the person, or the action? If we hate the person, then our response will be based primarily on personal revenge, whereas if we detest only the evil action, we will react with a strong desire to root out only the evil deeds.

There is a world of difference between those who kill out of hatred, and those who kill out of necessity. Rabbi Chaim Brisker explained that these two types can be compared to a housewife and a cat. The housewife and the cat both want to rid the house of mice. But there is one crucial difference: the cat is happy to have a mouse to pursue and kill, whereas the housewife would prefer not to have any problem in the first place.

The cat is happy to pursue and kill, whereas the housewife would prefer no problem in the first place.

There may not be a physical or active difference between these two approaches on the ground. In both cases, great battles will need to be waged to fight the evil and sometimes wars and killings will be involved. But this differentiation of intent when fighting evil is immense.

We must feel pained and distressed in our rooting out of evil and our punishing of perpetrators. We must not let our personal feelings of anger and fury dominate us. This is what is meant by:

"When your enemy falls, do not rejoice; and when he stumbles, let your heart not be glad." (Proverbs 24:17; Avot 4:24)

If we don't accomplish this, we risk killing and punishing for all the wrong reasons. We risk losing control of ourselves and fighting in ways that are completely personal, and not for the side of good at all. We risk slipping from good to evil.

One of the tremendous lessons from America's war on terror is how deeply humane we are. Far from the incitement, demonization, hatred, and glorification of the killings of innocent civilians that plagues many Islamic societies, American policy is not to take pride or satisfaction in fighting or killing its enemies.

And when some American soldiers do abuse and terribly mistreat their enemies, as has recently been discovered in Iraq, America bends over backwards to punish the perpetrators, in addition to apologizing and stating clearly that these soldiers' immoral behavior is an unacceptable and severe aberration.

America's wars and violent struggles are always fought with goals of preventing future terror attacks and saving lives. This is in stark contrast with the culture of Islamic terror that targets civilians and glorifies their dastardly killings.

JEWISH LOSS

We dare not forget the savagery of the enemy that is threatening the entire free world. These past two weeks have been an especially difficult time for the Jewish people. First there was the vicious murder of a pregnant mother and her four daughters in Gaza, as Palestinians emptied their guns point blank into each of them, including the 2-year-old still strapped to her car seat, and then added a bullet into the mother's belly, murdering her 8-month fetus as well.

Then, Israeli soldiers out to destroy a weapons factory were killed when their vehicle was bombed in Gaza; Arabs then snatched body parts, parading the human remains through the streets of Gaza City, in front of reporters, and in a video of a soldier's head that was broadcast throughout the Arab world. Then, only two days later, the story was repeated as another Israeli vehicle was blown up in Gaza, killing five more Israeli soldiers. Then on Friday, two more soldiers were killed by Arab sniper fire.

Something that was lost from the major headlines was that Nick Berg was Jewish. We do not know whether the murderers were aware of this since, unlike the murder of Daniel Pearl in 2001, the terrorists in the video did not make Berg mention that he was a Jew. Yet Berg did have an Israeli stamp in his passport, and has a Jewish-sounding last name.

And then, buried amidst the thousands of news articles was this:

Berg's father said his son was Jewish and had a fringed religious cloth with him

"Berg's father said his son was Jewish and had a fringed religious cloth with him."

Of course, we know that the 'fringed religious cloth' was tzitzit. The wearing of tzitzit is a positive commandment in the Torah.

Apparently, Nick Berg was not only Jewish by birth but was moving closer to Jewish observance. Friends said he undertaken "intense study of the Bible." He most likely did not wear the tzitzit in public, which could be quite dangerous in an Arab country, but he must have worn them many times while he was in Iraq. Nick Berg may have been alone in a strange land, but he carried his Jewish identity with him.

We mourn the tragic loss, and pray that evil be eradicated from our midst.

Related Articles:

About the Author

Rabbi Boruch Leff is a vice-principal at Torah Institute in Baltimore. "Are You Growing?" (Feldheim), his just released book, is a must read if you want to grow spiritually. Click here for info on the book.

Visitor Comments: 45

Articles like this truly help me recall how sacred and beautiful life is, even the life of our "enemies". Hopefully the terrible acts in Gaza and Iraq will soon end.

(44)
Paul,
May 22, 2004 12:00 AM

ISLAMIC=EVIL

YEAH - greatly worded. I've jus been travelling through Bangladesh - a small piece of the Islamic world. they didn't know Im a Jew but yeah - they are sickly anti-semitic without even seeing a Jew. But there love for each other is a myth - they beat each others with mobs in the street - they were masscred by Pakistan. they are clarly Amalek.

(43)
Phelippe,
May 20, 2004 12:00 AM

Brutal, horrible yes! expected? yes.

There are no acts of kindness in war. The US is illegally occupying Iraq and commiting just as many atrocities which will eventually come to light such as the torture of prisioners who are not even prisioners of war but civilians. What do we expect?

(42)
David,
May 19, 2004 12:00 AM

Relativism

is not the issue here. Sadly, they think they have absolute truth also
and I have not heard anyone say,
"That's OK, because they have their point of view." The true point is that these people think so radically differently from the civilized world that they are clinically (and criminally) insane.
Only force, not reason, compromise or
concessions will ever deter them.

(41)
Jass,
May 19, 2004 12:00 AM

absolute truth

While this was an insightful comment, i don't really think America is quite as wonderful as it is portrayed. Yes, it is Israel friend, yet it still has no problem critizing Israel for killing Palestinians in a demonstration - eventhough it is disputed. This is quite rich considering they just bombed a wedding party in Iraq killing 50 people!
America's war on terror is not quite as wonderful and pure as its portrayed here.
The war on terror will never be won when countries like America act like hypocrites.
America is a good friend, Israel's best friend but its time it stands up for whats right for morality and not just right for America.

(40)
Anonymous,
May 18, 2004 12:00 AM

this is not a manly behavior.This is not support any human society.

(39)
Anonymous,
May 18, 2004 12:00 AM

we must continue to work for humanity

my hert reaces out to all who murn and applauds all who work for justice , love and peace

(38)
Eleanor,
May 18, 2004 12:00 AM

He who keepeth Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps.
God Bless

(37)
Iris Nemhauser,
May 18, 2004 12:00 AM

The best I've read on the topic so far.

Rabbi Leff,

This is such an excellent analysis of the problem, it deserves to be published in the mass media. The only thing left out is the ultimate source of the problem of extremist Islamic terrorism and that, of course, is Saudi Arabia and its sponsorship of an educational system that preaches the very attitude you so aptly described.

(36)
Volvi,
May 18, 2004 12:00 AM

Zecher Amalek

"Zachor et asher asa lecha Amalek baderech betzetchem me'mitzraim. Asher karcha baderech... ve'lo yareh elokim.... Timche et zecher Amalek mitachat hashamaim lo tishkach."
"Remember what Amalek did to you on the way, upon your departure from Egypt... How he encountered you on the way... they did not fear God.... You shall erase the memory of Amalek from beneath the heavens, you shall not forget."

Tell me these evil desciples of satan do not qualify. This lesson of past is applicable to today too.

If I had the power I would decree all so called palestinians as Amalek, have they not murdered us daily along the way and in such cold blood. I would destroy them all and with no hate in my heart but the cold realisation that evil has to be extinguished for good to prevail.

(35)
Jack Bright,
May 17, 2004 12:00 AM

Nick Berg

Excellent article which should be reproduced and copies sent to evry 'shul'

(34)
Anonymous,
May 17, 2004 12:00 AM

Gut churning

What can one say at such animal behaviour, when humans sink to their lowest depths?

My daughter came home from a friends place having seen the news story of Mr Berg on TV. She said she became lterally sick and asked me how people could do such a thing. All I could tell her was that this is what hatred does to people. I told her that God does not miss it when people do not repent of a long drawn out and evil hatred - there is a retribution from Him, even though He is slow to anger.

I have prayed for Mr Berg's father and family. At first I was so revolted, I could not even pray.

(33)
jh ross,
May 17, 2004 12:00 AM

berg should have stayed at home

you don't walk thru the valley of death unless you have a big stick...he didn't

(32)
Anonymous,
May 17, 2004 12:00 AM

Nick Berg

May G-D bring comfort to his family and all who mourn.
I will not ever watch that video. To do so somehow gives the terrorist monsters added incentive to commit more such horrific acts. Just hearing about the barbaric way that poor kid died churns my stomach and makes me sick to my very soul.
It disgusts me that some people can be so sick and twisted that they could do such a thing to another person.

(31)
Anonymous,
May 17, 2004 12:00 AM

terrorists are cowards...

The five terroristsare cowards.. they outnumbered Berg 5 to one in the photo... put on hoods to scare him stupid... and committed their atrocity.. seems they enjoyed it... so they are pure bloodthiirsty....

(30)
angeles,
May 17, 2004 12:00 AM

Translation of the Arabic

Rabbi Leff and readers--

This atrocity is a part of an ongoing Jihadist war against not only Jews but a host of non-Islamic entities--the "infidels". Check out the posts at http://www.littlegreenfootballs.com. From there, a translation of what Al Zarkawhi was saying in Arabic, essentially a call to war:

" Whether President Bush is right and the assassin and speaker is al-Qaida ally Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, Joel Cohen, with a master’s degree in Semitic languages from Princeton University and a student of the Quran at the University of Chicago, translated and analyzed the speech delivered following the killing — explaining it is a call for similar acts of slaughter against infidels. The grisly film included a statement, signed off with Zarqawi’s name.

The CIA last week said Zarqawi was probably the one who beheaded Berg.

“The author of the text makes reference to the ‘patience’ of slaughtering,” Cohen tells G2 Bulletin, the premium, online intelligence newsletter published by the founder of WorldNetDaily. “Nick Berg is just an example.”

While parts of the video of the gruesome murder of the American radio tower contractor have been broadcast internationally, strangely the Arabic message accompanying it has not been scrutinized by the Western media. While many have heard Berg introduce himself and his family, fewer have heard the longer, Arabic-language message from the killers.

Cohen points out that, surprisingly, the message has little to do with Berg.

“The author goes at great pains to convince the Ummah (the body of Muslim believers) that the time for negotiations with unbelievers is over,” explains Cohen, who adds the address was carefully crafted rather than delivered impromptu.

He believes the author of the text is an imam or scholar or someone who studied in a maddrassa.

“Are you not fed up with the jihad of the conferences and the battles of giving sermons?” the speaker said. “Has the time not come for you to lift the sword with which the master of the messengers was sent?”

Cohen believes this reference to Islamic conferences is ridiculing the notion that holy war can be waged with sermons and teachings alone.

“He uses this as a pun,” suggests Cohen. “Jihad is supposed to be for the purpose of killing the non-believers and the scholars are using it simply to kill their own ideas. The battles of giving sermons is another pun: The scholars are putting the battle in words when it needs to be in real life in their hands.”

Cohen continues: “This is a full call to arms: Lift the sword. The ‘master of the messengers’ refers to Allah, that is, in the writers mind all the messengers of the past were given the ability to fight the non believers and so to the Ummah has it today.”

“And we hope, that you will not place yourself in a dilemma (after seeing) what we will do, as you usually do to please the American,” continues the Arabic speaker in the tape..

Cohen believes he is clearly offering direction about the way of jihad today — through the example of beheading Berg.

***

So I suggest to all to take your protection very seriously and redouble efforts to support Israel and Jews everywhere. These jihadist Muslims aren't going to stop until they are stopped.

(29)
T. Levine,
May 17, 2004 12:00 AM

A murder, not an execution.

The title of this article correctly labelled the killing of Nick Berg as murder. Everyone else, from President Bush to on down, has called this an "execution." The word, "execution," implies that a killing is justified based upon a crime committed by the person being killed. Even the unspeakable abuses at Abu Ghriab do not justify this ghastly crime. Nick did nothing wrong. His death was a cold-blooded, senseless murder, nothing less.

(28)
Dusan Milutinovic,
May 17, 2004 12:00 AM

follow-up news article

There is a story in the on-line news site WorldNetDaily.com with an interpretation of the Arabic portion of that evil and grisly execution. It accounts for their action, although nothing justifies it. It gives an insight into the extremists' mentality which is important in seeing where this may lead.

(27)
Anonymous,
May 17, 2004 12:00 AM

Excellent

Excellent article which provided a lot of clarity in a world very confused about right from wrong. Clearly the rise of militant Islam is a cancer spreading throughout the world which the media is happy to ignore and about which we, as believing Jews, need to pray for if we want to prevent it from destroying us all. May the nations of the world, and even Ishmael, soon recognize the true G-d.

(26)
N'drew,
May 17, 2004 12:00 AM

Is Islam today just a death cult?

I don't know of another religion currently practiced that includes prayers of "Death to _____!" Daily prayers in Iran have reportedly included that charming passage for decades now. Mainstream Islam doesn't utter a peep over Nick Berg's death, or the murder of that pregnant Israeli mother and her 4 daughters last week. So, what, do we give them a pass because Islam is supposedly a "religion"? So far as I can tell, it is now no more than a death cult.
Let us be aware of that, that is the enemy facing us. They cannot be allowed a victory, for as they worship death, they will never stop killing. We, on the other hand, must kill enough of them that they see they can never be victorious, and yet, as the Torah teaches, derive no pleasure from it. Relief, maybe. But we must always be ready to stop fighting once our enemies have stopped killing our innocents.

(25)
David R. Silver,
May 17, 2004 12:00 AM

Reaction

I can see at least three aspects ot the murder of Nick Berg. One, it was done because of revenge. Two, it was done just to cause a reaction of fear. Three, It was done to cause us to hate the Arabs or what they have done. There could even be a fourth, to show us what they are capable of doing in the name of allah,or will do in the name of allah.

(24)
Anonymous,
May 17, 2004 12:00 AM

I cannot express the frustration , and fury i feel . The whole world feels bold enough to show the savagery , that was the beheading of a young man . The media shows us photographs of poor palestinian children covered in blood , the captions point to israelis as the culprits . Who will show the world the life of israelis on a daily basis , and how they have struggled practically since the beginning of the existance of a jewish state ?

(23)
Aryeh Jacobson,
May 17, 2004 12:00 AM

may your wods bring comfort

May your words bring comfort to the families and a renewal of our prospective for them and us.
Hate of persons can only bring hate of more persons. We are fortunate to have a President who sees terrorism for what it is and fights it with all his might in a proper manner.

(22)
Simcha Vernimmen,
May 17, 2004 12:00 AM

Hear Oh Israel.......

Very carefully I read all of your comments, some stand with Rabbi Left and some not. While the Allmighty, blessed be His name, requieres much from us HE also says "Vengance is mine". In the meantime we as mortals, unable to understand HIS ways must love one another, hating evil not the person, to do anything contrary to this moral stand, will not only separate us from HIS presence, but connect us with evil and like the viruses that are spreading and contaminating computers we will also be spreading viruses to people with less protection of not knowing G-d. Only by the grace of G-d we were not born muslim.
I pray for all of us that our hearts be not hardened and our minds not get drunk with the lust of revenge.
For the family of Nick Berg, my heart goes to you. I never gave birth to a child in my life, but when I watched the terrible news, I felt I also lost my child.

(21)
lory,
May 17, 2004 12:00 AM

sad and sick.

From Toronto Canda. Very sad! and sick!
to think all this young MAN wanted to do is HELP.

(20)
CHRISTINA DELGADO,
May 17, 2004 12:00 AM

UNFORTENATELY

IT IS DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND PEOPLE NOWADAYS.
IT IS DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND THE REASONS WHY HUMAN BEINGS ARE SO RUDE WITH THEMSELVES. CULTURE, RELIGION, POLITIC, ARE DIVIDING PEOPLE INTO GROUPS AND DETERMINATING KINDS OF BEHAVIOURS.
THAT IS THE WORLD IN WHICH WE TRY TO SURVIVE TODAY.

(19)
lily flacks,
May 16, 2004 12:00 AM

Perhaps we need to teach our children to work for the betterment of our own. Afterall we are only 13 million strong throughout the world and we are the only ones who assist the Jewish people. No one, not personally and not through governments sends help to Israel during a disaster. When there was one bombing in Turkey, the whole world was in attendance and sending help. So, why was Berg in Iraq when there are so many families, children, businesses in need in Israel?

(18)
Rivka Lichtenstein,
May 16, 2004 12:00 AM

JEWISH American = coincidence?

I was wondering how long it would take to hear the comments about there being a correlation between Nick Berg's death and his being Jewish, similar to that of Daniel Pearl. May G-D avenge both of their deaths.

(17)
Rex S. Rambo,
May 16, 2004 12:00 AM

This is a terrible atrocity

They were wrong decapitating this good man. He wanted to help others who were not as fortunate as himself. These vicious killers did wrong, and they will get a wrong result.

(16)
Anonymous,
May 16, 2004 12:00 AM

But are these Isalamic values?

I value the Rabbi's analysis of the situation, but I wonder if there is even more going on just under the surface. If these terrorists butcher in the name of Allah, then why do they wear masks? After all, if they are so proud of their actions, wouldn't they want the "honor" of the world seeing who they are?
Their behavior, and the tolerance of their behavior by "moderate" Islam, makes me wonder if Islam believes in serving Allah, or if they want Allah to serve corruptions within Islam. Do you ever hear of "fundamentalist extremist" Jews doing this sort of behavior? The worst behavior by the most "extremist" Jews acting in the name of "Judaism" or "God" is really quite benign. Because Judaism would never tolerate such barbaric behavior, even of the most factionilized and marginilized.
This really makes me question what Islam is, and wonder if the true war that's going on now, is one of recognizing what is true and good, and what is false and self serving.

(15)
Anonymous,
May 16, 2004 12:00 AM

Excellent article

This is an excellent article, thank you for writing it. I was not aware that Nick Berg was travelling with his Tallis. Baruch Dayan ha Emet.

(14)
arthur koenigsberg,
May 16, 2004 12:00 AM

almost excellent

I did not agree with the comment on the cat,, since G-D made the cat act in that manner it was for survival not vicious.. the housewife was only interested in herself,, the mouse is no danger to her..

(13)
Terry church,
May 16, 2004 12:00 AM

Israel a blessed ally to U.S.

Rabbi,this is an excellent article that you have written.We are very lucky in the U.S.to have a friend such as ISRAEL.I completely support Israel and the Jewish people.Thank You very much and may GOD bless you and all of Israel.

(12)
Barbara Bietz,
May 16, 2004 12:00 AM

response to "Hate the action, not the person"

Dear Rabbi Leff,

I read your article about Nick Berg with a heave heart. I agree with most of what you say about dealing with eveil. I take pride in knowing that Jewish thought and Jewish law prevent us from commiting evil acts, even against out enemies. However, I do not agree with you that in cases like Nick Berg's horrific murder, or in the devastation of an innocent young family at the hands or terrorists, we must hate the act but not the person commiting the act. I think it is appropriate to hate the person who commits these acts. I don't think it is acceptable to commit evil in the name of that person. Hate is an emotional response. I don't think this is wrong - to act on hate in and evil way is wrong, but to have the feeling is not. It doesn't make sense to me that the Torah would require honor of parents (not love - since that might not be possible), yet require we do NOT hate vicious enemies (almost always impossible.) I do not think it is fair to require the mourning mother of a murder victim not to feel hate. Thank you.
Sincerely, Barbara Bietz

(11)
Beverly Kurtin,
May 16, 2004 12:00 AM

The Work of Demons

No human beings could have committed these atrocities. There must be some other noun that can describe them, but what? They are disguised as humans, but I find it impossible to comprehend that mere humans could do what they have done. The closest I can come to naming them is demon in the sense of a cruel wicked and inhuman person.

So I will refer to them as demons. Their religion is a religion of demons and it is high time that we as human beings realize that. How else could anyone call on the name of Allah when committing their heinous acts?

I am not painting Islam as a demonic religion: I am painting those who bastardize the message of the Koran and the name of Allah as being demons and their faith as demonic.

According to the Koran, [2.62]” Surely those who believe, and those who are Jews, and the Christians, and the Sabians, whoever believes in Allah and the Last day and does good, they shall have their reward from their Lord, and there is no fear for them, nor shall they grieve.” The Koran doesn’t teach what the demons say it does; Islam and Allah do not forgive what the demons do.

So why do they do what they do? Because they are not human and should not be treated as humans. The demons do inhumane things…we cannot do the same, but certainly when they are found they should be given the same kind of mercy they have bestowed on others. None.

It is everything that I can do to keep in mind that not all who call on the name of Allah are not like these demons. Just as we do not want the world to believe that all Americans mistreat prisoners, we must remember that not all who call on Allah are not inhumane.

On the other hand, we are attempting to discover those who are guilty of mistreating prisoners, will those who call on Allah and follow the Koran track down and dispose of the demons?

(10)
Michael Stein,
May 16, 2004 12:00 AM

Prayer with Human Action against Evil

This is a sad, and very frustrating story. The reasons are obvious for the sadness. The frustration arises from a desire to do something beyond "just prayer" to the Almighty. Prayer is strong, but G-d helps those who help themselves on this fragile world of ours. We must protect ourselves as Jews from eradication. Perhaps this can be done with prayer included.

(9)
Anonymous,
May 16, 2004 12:00 AM

My condolences to family and friends of Nick Berg. My heart cries for them. I wish I could offer them more.

(8)
Della Kennedy,
May 16, 2004 12:00 AM

Amen

Thank you for the reminder of Proverbs 24:17. It has been on my heart throughout this ordeal with the war on terror and our military error of the photos circulating around the world. The verse in Proverbs should be required memorization while training of all our armed forces. I have such a young friend about to graduate as an MP and I plan to send it to him today.

Our God ordained perspective on good and evil is as you say. Thank you for putting it so simple yet eloquently spoken.

(7)
Fran,
May 16, 2004 12:00 AM

The Difference

The difference in those who worship a god of destruction and those who Worship a G-d of creation. How sad for all of those who have lost lives of loved one because of this savagery, they have my sympathy, love, and prayers. Thank you for an informative article it is true that so often we do not hear of horrific events in the world and left uneducated about them we are powerless to change them.

(6)
Leah,
May 16, 2004 12:00 AM

The quote from the proverbs "When your enemy falls, do not rejoice; and when he stumbles, let not your heart be glad." is what makes me a Jew within my heart and soul...may it prove to prevail during this critical time in all our lives as Americans and as Jews.

(5)
Ruth Gelman,
May 16, 2004 12:00 AM

Nick Berg Video

Please show it completely! We must bear witness to his screams, what he said in his agony, his eyes still open. Just as all should see the Arabs descecrating the Israeli soldiers. Your comment please?

(4)
Rachel Glyn,
May 16, 2004 12:00 AM

Hatred

There is no way that I'm not going to hate the Arab terrorists and murderers who parade around with body parts and corpses. The words of Psalm 79 come to mind. I want to witness the avenging of our spilled Jewish blood. I want these wicked people to suffer 7 times the evil they have committed against us. And in the words of Psalm 91, "Only look with your eyes and see the retribution of the wicked." I am glad that the wicked Rantisi was sent where he belongs. I think we're obsessing way too much about the "abuse" done to the prisoners at Abu Graib - let's remember what they were doing that got them there in the first place. I have no intention of spilling my wine on Pesach to mourn the downfall of these evil, wicked savages and barbarians. I worry more that we aren't fighting this war with everything we have, and as a result of being too kind to the cruel, we will be cruel to the kind.

(3)
Anonymous,
May 16, 2004 12:00 AM

I am so heartbroken by the murder of Nick Berg. Is there anything we can do
for his family?
Sincerely,
Nancy Egelko

(2)
Anonymous,
May 16, 2004 12:00 AM

Not since Hitler have we faced an enemy like this one....

The first time I heard of Nick Berg was on Tuesday during the national news broadcast on CBS. It was reported that a tape of his execution was posted on an Islamicist website. Wanting to learn more about the circumstances of his presence in Iraq and suspecting he might be Jewish, I went online to look for related articles. Eventually I came upon the video in question. Nothing could have prepared me for the pure evil I was about to witness. The video began with Nick identifying himself, the names of his family members and his residence (Philadelphia). Then it cut to a scene with 5 hooded men standing against a wall with Nick seated on the floor in front of them. The man in the center (who we now know is likely to be Abu Musab al-Zarqawi - OBL associate) read a lengthy script in arabic for approximately 4 minutes. And then he stopped reading from the script and proceeded to pull out a knife that resembled a machete in length. The whole time Nick stared into the camera apparently oblivious to the fate that was about to befall him. Zarqawi, may his name be erased, pulled Berg ,bound at his wrists and ankles, down onto his belly so he could not move and over his screams proceeded to saw off his head while his cohorts yelled Allah Akhbar (god is greatest) to drown out Nick's cries..this lasted for 10 seconds until Nick could no longer scream and Zarqawi severed the head from the vertebrae. The room fell silent. Zarqawi then held Nicks head aloft for the camera and the chanting of Allahu Akhbar continued. It's a sight I will not soon forget. And yet I know Hashem was watching as his name was invoked to justify this most abominable of acts. I also know that Hashem will hold these subhumans (I will not call them animals because its an insult to animals) accountable wicked crimes against H-s name. We Jews have faced many enemies in history; but this could be the first time we are facing an enemy that is willing to sacrifice their own lives for our lives. The only way we will win this fight and destroy this evil in our midst is by faith, prayer, mitzot and a complete rededication to Hashem. May He exact retribution against those who murdered in is H-s name and for the blood of all those who died because they were Jews and may it come quickly to those who hate H-m, h-s Torah and h-s people.

(1)
Char,
May 16, 2004 12:00 AM

Martyrs walking amongst us

Nick Berg was not ashamed to be Jewish. He had a good heart that wanted to help a people and country that suffered under Saddam Hussein. He brought honor to the parents who bore him and to Judaism to living the principle of loving your neighbor -- even your enemies, no good and not evil.
I wept as a mother whose child was slaughtered in front of her. I wept for the life taken and the manner in which it was taken. As if it wasn't enough, the enemies claim they require blood and soul. They went too far, they crossed the line.
For the mother and her children, I wept. For the unborn child I wept. For the soldiers killed in defending G-d's Chosen People, I wept.
The American soldiers who mistreated the enemies certainly brought shame and a stain upon us. We condemn abuse of another human being.
Our enemies open declare war upon us; that they are sharpening their swords for us; they pass judgment upon us. In the end of days, they and the whole world will finally know the evil they have committed.
Rabbi Leff is right when he said man can always find a way to justify the evil he has done. So much evil done in the name of G-d is blasphemy. In the end, they will bear their own reproach and shame. The judgment they falsely declare as righteous will be turned upon themselves.

I'm told that it's a mitzvah to become intoxicated on Purim. This puzzles me, because to my understanding, it is not considered a good thing to become intoxicated, period.

One of the characteristics of the at-risk youth is their use of drugs, including alcohol. In my experience, getting drunk doesn't reveal secrets. It makes people act stupid and irresponsible, doing things they would never do if they were sober. Also, I know a lot about the horrible health effects of abusing alcohol, because I work at a research center that focuses on addiction and substance abuse.

Also, I am an alcoholic, which means that if I drink, very bad things happen. I have not had a drink in 22 years, and I have no intention of starting now. Surely there must be instances where a person is excused from the obligation to drink. I don't see how Judaism could ever promote the idea of getting drunk. It just doesn't seem right.

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

Putting aside for a moment all the spiritual and philosophical reasons for getting drunk on Purim, this remains an issue of common sense. Of course, teenagers should be warned of the dangers of acute alcohol ingestion. Of course, nobody should drink and drive. Of course, nobody should become so drunk to the point of negligence in performing mitzvot. And of course, a recovering alcoholic should not partake of alcohol on Purim.

Indeed, the Code of Jewish Law explicitly says that if one suspects the drinking may affect him negatively, then he should NOT drink.

Getting drunk on Purim is actually one of the most difficult mitzvot to do correctly. A person should only drink if it will lead to positive spiritual results - e.g. under the loosening affect of the alcohol, greater awareness will surface of the love for God and Torah found deep in the heart. (Perhaps if we were on a higher spiritual level, we wouldn't need to get drunk!)

Yet the Talmud still speaks of an obligation on Purim of "not knowing the difference between Blessed is Mordechai and Cursed is Haman." How then should a person who doesn't drink get the point of “not knowing”? Simple - just go to sleep! (Rama - OC 695:2)

All this applies to individuals. But the question remains - does drinking on Purim adversely affect the collective social health of the Jewish community?

The aversion to alcoholism is engrained into Jewish consciousness from a number of Biblical and Talmudic sources. There are the rebuking words of prophets - Isaiah 28:1, Hosea 3:1 with Rashi, and Amos 6:6, and the Zohar says that "The wicked stray after wine" (Midrash Ne'alam Parshat Vayera).

It is well known that the rate of alcoholism among Jews has historically been very low. Numerous medical, psychological and sociological studies have confirmed this. The connection between Judaism and sobriety is so evident, that the following conversation is reported by Lawrence Kelemen in "Permission to Receive":

When Dr. Mark Keller, editor of the Quarterly Journal of Studies on Alcohol, commented that "practically all Jews do drink, and yet all the world knows that Jews hardly ever become alcoholics," his colleague, Dr. Howard Haggard, director of Yale's Laboratory of Applied Physiology, jokingly proposed converting alcoholics to the Jewish religion in order to immerse them in a culture with healthy attitudes toward drinking!

Perhaps we could suggest that it is precisely because of the use of alcohol in traditional ceremonies (Kiddush, Bris, Purim, etc.), that Jews experience such low rates of alcoholism. This ceremonial usage may actually act like an inoculation - i.e. injecting a safe amount that keeps the disease away.

Of course, as we said earlier, all this needs to be monitored with good common sense. Yet in my personal experience - having been in the company of Torah scholars who were totally drunk on Purim - they acted with extreme gentleness and joy. Amid the Jewish songs and beautiful words of Torah, every year the event is, for me, very special.

Adar 12 marks the dedication of Herod's renovations on the second Holy Temple in Jerusalem in 11 BCE. Herod was king of Judea in the first century BCE who constructed grand projects like the fortresses at Masada and Herodium, the city of Caesarea, and fortifications around the old city of Jerusalem. The most ambitious of Herod's projects was the re-building of the Temple, which was in disrepair after standing over 300 years. Herod's renovations included a huge man-made platform that remains today the largest man-made platform in the world. It took 10,000 men 10 years just to build the retaining walls around the Temple Mount; the Western Wall that we know today is part of that retaining wall. The Temple itself was a phenomenal site, covered in gold and marble. As the Talmud says, "He who has not seen Herod's building, has never in his life seen a truly grand building."

Some people gauge the value of themselves by what they own. But in reality, the entire concept of ownership of possessions is based on an illusion. When you obtain a material object, it does not become part of you. Ownership is merely your right to use specific objects whenever you wish.

How unfortunate is the person who has an ambition to cleave to something impossible to cleave to! Such a person will not obtain what he desires and will experience suffering.

Fortunate is the person whose ambition it is to acquire personal growth that is independent of external factors. Such a person will lead a happy and rewarding life.

With exercising patience you could have saved yourself 400 zuzim (Berachos 20a).

This Talmudic proverb arose from a case where someone was fined 400 zuzim because he acted in undue haste and insulted some one.

I was once pulling into a parking lot. Since I was a bit late for an important appointment, I was terribly annoyed that the lead car in the procession was creeping at a snail's pace. The driver immediately in front of me was showing his impatience by sounding his horn. In my aggravation, I wanted to join him, but I saw no real purpose in adding to the cacophony.

When the lead driver finally pulled into a parking space, I saw a wheelchair symbol on his rear license plate. He was handicapped and was obviously in need of the nearest parking space. I felt bad that I had harbored such hostile feelings about him, but was gratified that I had not sounded my horn, because then I would really have felt guilty for my lack of consideration.

This incident has helped me to delay my reactions to other frustrating situations until I have more time to evaluate all the circumstances. My motives do not stem from lofty principles, but from my desire to avoid having to feel guilt and remorse for having been foolish or inconsiderate.

Today I shall...

try to withhold impulsive reaction, bearing in mind that a hasty act performed without full knowledge of all the circumstances may cause me much distress.

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